How to get summer EBT benefits and what families are eligible in NY

When home from school for the summer, common phrases used by youth are "I'm hungry" and "What's for lunch?"

Some families can't afford lunch for their children, and schools often provide it during the academic year. Now, a new program aims to address these concerns.

In July, New York State began offering food benefits to eligible families through the new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program.

The initiative aims to help with grocery expenses when schools are closed for children who lack access to free school meals. These benefits can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmer's markets, and other authorized Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailers.

Each eligible child will receive $120 in Summer EBT food benefits. Eligibility for these benefits is determined by household income.

Students who are not automatically eligible can apply for Summer EBT food benefits by submitting an online application by September 3, 2024.

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Most households do not need to apply for Summer EBT food benefits, as eligible children will receive them automatically. A child may qualify automatically if they already receive SNAP, temporary assistance (cash) benefits, or are directly certified for free meals through Medicaid.

Summer EBT food benefits are being distributed through October 2024. Automatically eligible K-12 students in public school students will receive benefits first, followed by private, religious, or independent school students. Lastly, benefits will be issued to those who applied for eligibility online.

If your child received food benefits on a Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) card in the past year and is automatically eligible for the Summer EBT benefits, the funds will be loaded onto that card. If not, a new EBT card will be issued for each eligible child.

Automatically eligible families will receive a letter with detailed instructions on accessing these benefits this summer. Additionally, some families might receive a text message from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance when benefits are issued.

Families can use EBT food benefits for up to 122 days from the date they were issued.

Food insecurity in Rochester's 14605

According to data from Feeding America, food insecurity has spiked to its highest level since the Great Recession, which can be linked to food inflation and the termination of several COVID-era federal assistance programs.

According to Foodlink, this spike, during a one-year timespan, led to an additional 33,580 people experiencing food insecurity, raising the total to 151,820 in the Rochester/Finger Lakes region.

The data indicates that Rochester's 14605 zip code has the third-highest insecurity rate in New York State, standing at 29.8%.

More like this: Zip code in Rochester ranks third in NY state for food insecurity, new report finds

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: How to get summer EBT benefits and what families are eligible in NY